CD Reviews

That annoying little buzz . . .

Michael G. Bruce | Lanham, MD United States | 03/16/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Elias' strength here--as in all her albums--is her keyboard work; very few match her command of the instrument, her intensity, fluency and arranging of the Jobim songbook. Notwithstanding the superb blending with her accompanists, her vocals are the most disappointing. Were this a purely instrumental CD, this would be an easy A+. Sounding more tentative than confident, the vocals are barely audible, and at times, incoherent, making this a frustrating listen for me--like the gnats that ruin an otherwise marvelous summer picnic, I keep swatting at the vocals! The two exceptions being the guitar/vocal interplay with Castro-Neves on "Falando de Amor" and "One Note Samba." Otherwise, musicianship is what carries the album: fine accompaniment, great arrangements, forgettable vocals!"

Pianist? YES! Singer? --HARDLY!

W. Gawlas | pittsburgh | 10/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Whoever told Ms. Elias that she should sing MUST have been pullingher lovely leg. While no one who knows music, esp. jazz, wouldquestion her instrumental chops, singing should be left to thosewhose years of training and dues-paying performance work hasresulted in audience-worthy renditions of great and memorabletunes.Hasn't anyone noticed that the American Idol wannabe's, when theyflunk their auditions, will argue tooth-and-nail that they are"great singers"? They don't have the talent to become recordedsingers. Neither does Ms. Elias, despite her pianistic expertise."

Smoky, Masterful

Nicholas Robinson | Montreal | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Elaine Elias redoes Jobim SO WELL. Just the thing to play when you're a bit down or having dinner with your baby, and every song sounds fresh every time you play it. And the piano playing is sublime.

GET THIS ALBUM."

A whisper in your ear

Frank Jones | Chicago, IL, USA | 02/23/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a superb interpretation of Jobim's work. Most everything is done in her quiet, breathy soft-spoken singing style. And although her singing is not perfect, her emotion and mood is just perfect. Listening to her sing on headphones, "Once I loved" and "How insensitive" transport you to a Sao Paolo dusk, as a beautiful woman whispers in your ear, telling you a story, and occasionally brushing her lush lips on the edge of your ear. It makes you want to turn your head and find out how lush those lips are.